While the pandemic continues to color every civic interaction, the Culver City Council took up the idea of a return to live, in-person meetings, on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. The solution, that was approved unanimously, was to move to a hybrid model that will encompass both in-person and remote participation.
“We are requiring that everyone wear a mask – specifically a high quality mask – in concurrence with LA County requirements. That’s not really a choice. “While other local cities are still waiting to have the conversation, Assistant City Manager Jessie Mays made the presentation that recommended a return to a hybrid model, where some can be present in the council chambers, and some can participate online.
Chamber of Commerce President Colin Diaz spoke in favor of a return to live meetings, “I would agree with recommendation of returning to a hybrid model. I think it’s time to return from a ‘comfort and equity’ standpoint. I do know some folks who are kind of out of the loop because they are not able to engage [online] but I also know folks who like [the remote option.] I do support a hybrid meeting model.”
Michelle Weiner spoke of the benefits of staying online, to both the city staff who, “because of our housing crisis, have to commute a very long way, and how much we have been protecting our climate by virtue of being remote. I’d like to see us remaining remote until we are in a better [public health] situation.”
Ken Mand spoke in favor of maintaining the vaccination requirement, as did Karim Sahli.
Tying into both the state and county requirements, the executive order from Culver City has had to change many times over the past two years.
The ordinance notes that “The state of emergency as a result of COVID-19 continues to directly impact the ability of the members of City Council and the members of the City’s subordinate Commissions, Boards and Committees to meet safely in person; or The State of California, Los Angeles County and the City of Culver City continue to impose or recommend measures to promote social distancing.”
Council member Yasmine Imani McMorrin offered that ” We need to be mindful of equity… and strive towards hearing as many voices as we can.”
Mayor Dr. Daniel Lee thanked the council for consensus. ” I think that a hybrid format will help us with the kind of cohesion we are hoping to continue towards.
The need to nod to AB316, the state law, meant that even though the resolution was unanimous, it would be revisited again in 30 days.
Judith Martin-Straw
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